The Kansas City Royals have signed former Red Sox pitcher Hideo Nomo to a one-year minor league deal and have invited him to camp as well. Nomo last pitched in the majors in 2005 with Tampa Bay.
The Royals also signed free agent catcher Miguel Olivo to a 1-year contract with options for 2009.
The Chicago White Sox sent three minor leaguers to Oakland for 1B/OF Nick Swisher. Swisher is expected to be the everyday center fielder for the Sox. Chicago received left-hander Gio Gonzalez and right-hander Fautino De Los Santos, along with OF Ryan Sweeney.
Oakland GM Billy Beane may not be done dealing either. There’s a rumor he’s interested in Boston OF Coco Crisp. I wonder if Joe Blanton is still on the table?
The Cincinnati Reds signed former Yankee 1B Andy Phillips, RHP Jim Brower, LHP Adam Pettyjohn, INF Andy Green and INF Jolbert Cabrera to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training.
Free agent OF Luis Gonzalez is interested in Milwaukee but Milwaukee is unsure if they’re interested in him. Gonzalez played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007.
Free agent INF Jorge Cantu signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins and was invited to spring training. Cantu played for Tampa and Cincinnati in 2007.
Josh Towers who pitched for Toronto last season reportedly has signed with the NL Champion Colorado Rockies. The deal is one year for $1.8 million with an option for 2009.
INF Aaron Miles re-upped with the St. Louis Cardinals signing a one-year contract for $1.4 million. The Cards also signed former Boston pitcher Matt Clement to a one year plus option deal. He is guaranteed $1.25 in 2008 but could make up to $6.5 million. The option for 2009 is worth $8.75 million and with incentives as much as $11 million. I guess the Cardinals were really hard up for a starter.
Speaking of pitchers with arm problems the San Diego Padres gave former Cubs starter Mark Prior a one-year, $1 million contract for 2008. Prior was a free agent after Chicago cut him loose after not being able to trade him during the winter meetings. Prior last pitched in the majors in 2006.
The Chicago Cubs have received permission to add 70 “bullpen box seats” along the third base line and install additional digital signage at Wrigley Field. The additional seats had to be approved by a permit committee of the city Commission on Chicago Landmarks, as the city council gave the 93-year-old stadium historic landmark status in 2004.
Washington P Luis Ayala was hit in the arm with a shotgun pellet during a recent hunting trip. Ayala has a bruise nerve in his upper forearm and is experiencing a tingling sensation which is improving. The small fragments will not be removed unless he gets an infection. Ayala is expected to be ready for spring training next month.
The saga of Cleveland Indians pitcher Juan Lara continues. After nearly being killed in a car accident in the Dominican he was moved to the Cleveland Clinic last month and has since undergone two surgeries. One to stabilize his spine and one to repair an arm fracture. Lara sustained life-threatening injuries when the SUV he was driving was slammed into at an intersection by a motorcycle on Nov. 24.
Free agent INF Jose Castillo signed a contract with the Florida Marlins. No terms were disclosed. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season.
The Houston Astros signed recently acquired P Oscar Villarreal to a 2 year, $2.85 million deal. The team has an option for 2010. Villarreal was traded by Atlanta for outfielder Josh Anderson last month. He was 2-2 with a save and a 4.24 ERA for the Braves last season.
